Candied nuts are a delicious treat.  I really like making them to add a fun punch to a salad.  Paired with pears, gorgonzola, and/or cranberries, these candied nuts are a wonderful addition to salad.  Make your own balsamic salad dressing and you’ve got a wonderful restaurant-grade salad.

Candied Walnuts

• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 1/2 cups walnut pieces (or pecan halves)

Stir sugar, oil and vinegar in a skillet over medium heat until sugar melts and syrup begins to bubble, about 3 minutes.  Mix in the nuts and stir until nuts are toasted and coated in syrup, about 5-6 minutes.  Spread nuts out evenly on parchment paper and allow to cool completely.